Young students from the Bulgarian School "Ivan Vazov" in Lancaster presented the second episode of their educational podcast "Извънкласно" (Extracurricular), which has sparked serious interest among the Bulgarian community abroad.
The initiative is by four students - Nicole, Andrea, Ornela, and Danail, who take on the challenge of conducting professional interviews with established Bulgarian specialists abroad. In this episode, they invited Dr. Julia and Dr. Stanislav Ugleshovi, who kindly spared some of their personal time.
Principal Ralitsa Nevyanova-Boykova reveals the essence of the project: "The goal is to show different life trajectories of Bulgarians who have established themselves outside their homeland". The podcast presents stories of doctors, educators, dentists, and students who share their challenges and successes frankly.
According to Nevyanova-Boykova, the project has multilayered educational dimensions. "This is a unique way to teach children to conduct meaningful dialogue - a skill that is often lacking even among adults," she emphasizes. In addition to communication skills, the podcast also develops language skills.
The "Ivan Vazov" School in Preston, founded on September 19, 2021, offers comprehensive education in Bulgarian language, history, and geography. Besides the podcast, the educational center develops innovative projects such as "Heritage", "Living Textbook", and "Hidden History".
The institution is expanding its presence by opening a branch in Lancaster in 2023. In parallel with educational activities, the school also publishes its own newspaper "Chichovtsi - a gallery of Bulgarian types and customs in the present time".
The "Извънкласно" podcast is becoming a platform for preserving Bulgarian identity among the young generation abroad, while simultaneously entertaining and educating its audience.